Attachment and early biofilm development of methane-forming anaerobic microbial cultures

Thesis/Dissertation · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1988

OSTI ID:5564087

Robins, J P

An anaerobic attachment vessel was designed, constructed, and used to quantify and visualize the initial attachment and biofilm development of chemostat grown bacterial cultures. The bacteria attached rapidly to washed/autoclaved glass slides. Within one to three hours, the number of irreversibly attached bacteria increased by approximately two orders of magnitude from 0 to 100-250 bacteria per 10,000 square micrometers. The counts of total bacteria after one week of inoculation were in a range of 250 to 450 bacteria per 10,000 square mircometers. No statistically significant difference was noted in the pattern of attachment for 8 days solids retention time (SRT) and 20 day SRT cultures. Two mathematical models were developed to describe the results. A significant percentage, usually 25%-75%, of the bacteria counted on the washed/autoclaved slides were methanogens. Final step autoclaving in the slide wash procedure had a statistically significant effect on attachment. Irreversibly attached bacteria counts on washed/unautoclaved slides over time were one half to one an done half orders of magnitude lower than the corresponding counts for washed/autoclaved slides. Scanning electron microscopy showed some cells do, and some do not, possess conspicuous appendages or extracellular fibers which appear to be used for attachment. At long inoculation times, more extensive development of extracellular fibers was observed sometimes and more amorphous, extracellular, gluelike material was present. At short and long inoculation times, cells attached as individuals and in clumps. The clumps were covered and/or interspersed with the gluelike material.

• Research Organization: Massachusetts Univ., Amherst, MA (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5564087
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
090122* -- Hydrocarbon Fuels-- Preparation from Wastes or Biomass-- (1976-1989)
140504 -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Biomass Production & Conversion-- (-1989)
ADHESION
ALKANES
ANAEROBIC DIGESTION
BACTERIA
BIOCHEMICAL REACTION KINETICS
BIOCONVERSION
BIOSYNTHESIS
DIGESTION
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
FIBERS
FILMS
GROWTH
HYDROCARBONS
IMMOBILIZED CELLS
KINETICS
MANAGEMENT
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
METHANE
METHANOGENIC BACTERIA
MICROORGANISMS
MICROSCOPY
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PROCESSING
REACTION KINETICS
SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
SYNTHESIS
TIME DEPENDENCE
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING